Martin Dubravka recall gives Manchester United an easy David de Gea decision

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Manchester United announced on loan goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has been recalled by Newcastle.

It’s no great loss where United are confirmed. Dubravka’s performance against Burnley was extremely shaky, after a poor display in a friendly when he conceded four goals against Cadiz.

Erik ten Hag’s first transfer miss

It is really hard for a manager to have a 100 per cent success rate in the transfer market, particularly a new manager coming into the league.

Ten Hag has actually had a fantastic record in the market so far, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Christian Eriksen all becoming first team regulars.

Dubravka was the one miss, and always the most likely not to work out. He insisted on signing a back-up goalkeeper in the summer, and United considered multiple options.

Unfortunately the one goalkeeper Ten Hag signed off on, Martin Dubravka, has not worked out.

Dubravka often failed to make the bench due to fitness issues, and when he did play, he looked underwhelming.

Now he has failed to last the season, with Newcastle recalling him. It seems as though United chose poorly.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Manchester United’s silverware chances have just improved

Martin Dubravka’s recall actually does Manchester United a favour in the club’s quest for silverware, taking an awkward decision out of Ten Hag’s hands.

United are into the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton, a competition in which Dubravka has started both matches so far.

Against Burnley he was a liability whenever the ball came near him. A better team would have made United pay.

In the quarter-final, David de Gea will surely come back into the side now Dubravka has gone.

Arguably this should have happened anyway, but a sense of duty to Dubravka as the ‘cup goalkeeper’ could have seen Ten Hag stick by the Slovakian.

And while this might have worked out against Charlton, this could be the line between success and failure when it comes to United winning the competition in later rounds, should they get there.

A difficult decision is now taken away from Ten Hag, and he can make a statement by selecting De Gea; part of his strongest team.

Dubravka’s exit actually improves Manchester United’s chances of winning silverware this season, if it means De Gea will get the cup starts instead.